Navigating Semesters Successfully: Strategies for Managing Academic Responsibilities
Princeton students are renowned for their ability to balance academics and extracurricular activities, and one key tool they use to achieve this balance is effective time management. Here's how they do it.
A central part of their strategy is the use of digital tools to organise and visualise their activities and assignments for the semester. One such tool is the McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning's "Semester on a Page" calendar, which helps students predict stressful weeks and plan accordingly.
Students can turn off the McGraw Center calendar when they don't need it, and use it as a resource when help is needed in a class. They can also create a separate calendar for McGraw Center resource hours and professor office hours, and manage these resources effectively.
In addition to the McGraw Center's resources, Google Calendars are also a popular tool for managing time commitments for both academics and extracurriculars. With Google Calendars, students can predict when they might need help in a class, and plan their time accordingly. They can also use Google Calendars to manage their time for extracurricular activities, and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the stress of university life.
Princeton University offers a variety of extracurricular activities for students, and many students are considering participating in new activities, such as writing for a blog or being a writing center fellow, as well as continuing with existing activities like the Princeton University Orchestra and Princeton Social Innovation.
To effectively manage their time, students start by calculating the time required for all their activities and courses. They then prioritise tasks by urgency and importance, and break down large assignments into manageable steps to stay organised and reduce procrastination.
By setting short-term, achievable goals and recognising setbacks as opportunities for growth, students are able to maintain a balanced semester where both academic success and extracurricular engagement thrive.
With these strategies in place, students at Princeton University are able to make the most out of their time at university, and achieve academic and personal success.
[1] McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning. (2021). Time Management. https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/tutoring/time-management
[2] Princeton University. (2021). Study Skills. https://www.princeton.edu/academicprograms/opi/study-skills/
[3] Princeton University. (2021). Balancing Academics and Extracurricular Activities. https://www.princeton.edu/studentlife/academics/academic-support/balancing-academics-and-extracurricular-activities/
[4] Princeton University. (2021). Prioritising Tasks. https://www.princeton.edu/academicprograms/opi/prioritizing-tasks/
- Junior papers and senior theses, essential milestones in education-and-self-development, can be smoothly integrated into a student's schedule with effective time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks and planning with tools like the McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning's "Semester on a Page" calendar.
- Balancing academics and extracurricular activities is vital for personal-growth and learning at Princeton University. By strategically planning with digital tools and prioritizing tasks, students can manage their time efficiently, allowing them to excel in their junior paper, senior thesis, and various extracurricular activities, promoting both academic success and personal development.
